The goal in rebalancing skills is to reduce the amount of bookkeeping for skill points by combining thematically-similar skills into one. Currently there are over 40 skills – over 50 if you count each Knowledge skill. In addition, Craft, Perform, and Profession each have multiple subskills. I have condensed the list into 20 skills, each with multiple utility.

Appraise is eliminated. You can appraise items using any other relevant skill.Profession is eliminated. You can make money, for instance, as a mechanic, spellcaster, healer, and so on using those checks or an appropriate expertise check.Truespeak is no longer a skill, but a class ability. However knowing about truespeaking (just not being able to practice it) can fall under Linguistics.

Synergy bonuses no longer exist. Most skills which previously had synergy with one another are now combined into a single skill.

Skill point amounts have been lowered for classes by half. Characters still to add their full intelligence bonus to this amount. As always, you get a minimum of 1 skill point per level, even if you have an intelligence penalty.

Standard skill points

New skill points

2 + int modifier

1 + int modifier

4 + int modifier

2 + int modifier

6 + int modifier

3 + int modifier

8 + int modifier

4 + int modifier

10 + int modifier

5 + int modifier

Class skills: In general, classes count any new skill as a class skill if it has subsumed a skill that was on their old class skill list. The following table lists class skills for each of the classes found in the Player's Handbook. Additional classes may be done later on an ad-hoc basis.